U.S. patent number 6,406,242 [Application Number 09/710,046] was granted by the patent office on 2002-06-18 for apparatus for fastening together two plates.
This patent grant is currently assigned to TRW Inc.. Invention is credited to Gary G. Gordon.
United States Patent |
6,406,242 |
Gordon |
June 18, 2002 |
Apparatus for fastening together two plates
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for securing a first plate, which may be a
pull handle bracket, in a spaced relationship to a second plate,
which may be a door panel. The apparatus (10) comprises a fastener
(16) having a head portion (22) and a base portion (24). The head
portion (22) is insertable into a hole in the first plate and
supports the first plate. The base portion (24) is insertable into
a hole in the second plate and attaches to the second plate. Part
of the base portion (24) of the fastener (16) extends on a side of
the second plate opposite the first plate. The apparatus (10)
further includes a retainer (18) having an elongated main body (90)
for inserting into the head portion (22) of the fastener (16) and
for securing the first plate to the head portion (22) of the
fastener (16). The part of the base portion (24) of the fastener
(16) that extends on a side of the second plate opposite the first
plate has a width that increases to resist a force attempting to
separate the first plate from the second plate.
Inventors: |
Gordon; Gary G. (Novi, MI) |
Assignee: |
TRW Inc. (Lyndhurst,
OH)
|
Family
ID: |
24852400 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/710,046 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
411/508; 24/297;
411/513; 411/522; 411/913 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
79/06 (20130101); F16B 5/065 (20130101); F16B
21/086 (20130101); F16B 21/18 (20130101); E05B
15/1635 (20130101); Y10S 411/913 (20130101); Y10T
24/309 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
E05B
65/20 (20060101); F16B 21/08 (20060101); F16B
21/18 (20060101); F16B 21/00 (20060101); F16B
5/06 (20060101); E05B 15/16 (20060101); E05B
15/00 (20060101); F16B 019/00 (); F16B
021/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;411/508,509,510,513,514,533,913 ;24/297,453 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wilson; Neill
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell, Tummino
& Szabo L.L.P.
Claims
Having described the invention, the following is claimed:
1. An apparatus for securing a first plate in a spaced relationship
to a second plate comprising:
a fastener having a head portion and a base portion, the head
portion being insertable into a hole in the first plate and
supporting the first plate, the base portion being insertable into
a hole in the plate and attaching to the second plate, part of the
base portion of the fastener extending on a side of the second
plate opposite the first plate; and
a retainer having an elongated main body for inserting into the
head portion of the fastener and for securing the first plate
to-the head portion of the fastener;
the part of the base portion of the fastener that extends on a side
of the second plate opposite the first plate having a width that
increases to resist a force attempting to separate the first plate
from the second plate;
the head portion of the fastener including a first flange, a second
flange, and an arched portion, the arched portion interconnecting
the first and second flange and having a depth that is narrower
than a depth of the respective flanges.
2. The apparatus as in claim 1 further being defined by:
the base portion of the fastener including a first leg and a second
leg, the first leg extending from the first flange in a direction
opposite the arched portion and the second leg extending from the
second flange in a direction opposite the arched portion.
3. The apparatus as in claim 2 further being defined by:
both the first leg and the second leg of the base portion of the
fastener having an inner surface, the inner surface of the first
leg having protrusions for interlocking with protrusions of the
second leg.
4. The apparatus as in claim 2 further being defined by:
both the first leg and the second leg of the base portion of the
fastener having an outer surface, the outer surface of each leg
having a support flange, each support flange tapering outward from
the outer surface of the respective leg and in a direction toward
the head portion of the fastener.
5. The apparatus as in claim 4 further being defined by:
the support flange on each leg of the fastener having a notched end
for attaching to the second plate.
6. The apparatus as in claim 1 further being defined by:
both the first flange and the second flange having a cambered upper
surface, the arched portion connecting to each flange at an outer
end of the cambered upper surface.
7. An apparatus for securing a first plate in a spaced relationship
to a second plate comprising:
a fastener having a head portion and a base portion, the head
portion being insertable into a hole in the first plate and
supporting the first plate, the base portion being insertable into
a hole in the second plate and attaching to the second plate, part
of the base portion of the fastener extending on a side of the
second plate opposite the first plate; and
a retainer having an elongated main body for inserting into the
head portion of the fastener and for securing the first plate to
the head portion of the fastener;
the part of the base portion of the fastener that extends on a side
of the second plate opposite the first plate having a width that
increases to resist a force attempting to separate the first plate
from the second plate;
the base portion having first and second legs movable relative to
each other and first and second flanges extending from the first
and second legs, the first and second flanges being movable
relative to the first and second legs, the first and second legs
moving away from each other to resist the force attempting to
separate the first plate from the second plate.
8. An apparatus for securing a first plate in a spaced relationship
to a second plate comprising:
a fastener having a head portion and a base portion, the head
portion being insertable into a hole in the first plate and
supporting the first plate, the base portion being insertable into
a hole in the second plate and attaching to the second plate, part
of the base portion of the fastener extending on a side of the
second plate opposite the first plate; and
a retainer having an elongated main body for inserting into the
head portion of the fastener and for securing the first plate to
the head portion of the fastener;
the part of the base portion of the fastener that extends on a side
of the second plate opposite the first plate having a width that
increases to resist a force attempting to separate the first plate
from the second plate;
the elongated main body of the retainer having a slotted end, the
slotted end having a width that is greater than a width of the
elongated main body, two retaining legs extending from the slotted
end, each retaining leg curving toward the elongated main body as
the respective retaining leg approaches an end opposite the slotted
end.
9. An apparatus for securing a first plate in a spaced relationship
to a second plate comprising:
a fastener having a head portion and a base portion, the head
portion being insertable into a hole in the first plate and
supporting the first plate, the base portion being insertable into
a hole in the second plate and attaching to the second plate, part
of the base portion of the fastener extending on a side of the
second plate opposite the first plate; and
a retainer having an elongated main body for inserting into the
head portion of the fastener and for securing the first plate to
the head portion of the fastener;
the part of the base portion of the fastener that extends on a side
of the second plate opposite the first plate having a width that
increases to resist a force attempting to separate the first plate
from the second plate;
the fastener and the retainer being made of the same material and
being molded as one piece.
10. An apparatus for securing a first plate in a spaced
relationship to a second plate comprising:
a fastener having a head portion and a base portion, the head
portion being insertable into a hole in the first plate and
supporting the first plate, the base portion being insertable into
a hole in the second plate and attaching to the second plate, part
of the base portion of the fastener extending on a side of the
second plate opposite the first plate; and
a retainer having an elongated main body for inserting into the
head portion of the fastener and for securing the first plate to
the head portion of the fastener;
the part of the base portion of the fastener that extends on a side
of the second plate opposite the first plate having a width that
increases to resist a force attempting to separate the first plate
from the second plate;
the first plate being a pull handle bracket and the second plate
being a door panel for a motor vehicle.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an apparatus for securing a first
plate in a spaced relationship to a second plate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A motor vehicle has doors. Each door has an outer panel that forms
the exterior of the door and an inner panel. In the area between
the outer panel and the inner panel, there is a cavity. The cavity
may receive a window, and also may contain a power window mechanism
for moving the window, a side impact occupant restraint system,
etc. A pull handle for use by a passenger of the vehicle in closing
the door is attached to the inner door panel. The pull handle is
mounted on a bracket, and the bracket is mounted to the inner panel
of the door. Currently, the pull handle bracket is mounted to the
door panel by screws.
If maintenance to any of the equipment located within the cavity of
the door is required, the pull handle bracket may need to be
removed to allow access to the equipment. Currently, removing the
pull handle bracket requires removing the screws. To replace the
pull handle bracket after it is removed, the bracket must be
aligned with the inner panel of the door such that the screw holes
in the bracket align with the screw holes in the door panel and
then, the screws are reinstalled. This process can be difficult as
the screw holes in the door panel are not visible when the pull
handle bracket is in place.
Further, the fasteners that attach the pull handle bracket to the
door panel must be able to withstand the repeated force of the door
being slammed shut. When the pull handle is used to slam the door,
a force attempts to separate the pull handle bracket from the door
panel. If the fasteners cannot withstand this repeated force, the
pull handle bracket may become loosened or may be pulled off of the
door panel.
Thus, there is a need for an apparatus to fasten a pull handle
bracket to a door panel that will enable easy assembly,
disassembly, and reassembly and that is capable of withstanding
repeated slams of the door without the pull handle bracket becoming
loosened from or being pulled off of the door panel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is an apparatus for securing a first plate, which
may be a pull handle bracket, in a spaced relationship to a second
plate, which may be a door panel. The apparatus comprises a
fastener having a head portion and a base portion. The head portion
is insertable into a hole in the first plate and supports the first
plate. The base portion is insertable into a hole in the second
plate and attaches to the second plate. Part of the base portion of
the fastener extends on a side of the second plate opposite the
first plate. The apparatus further includes a retainer having an
elongated main body for inserting into the head portion of the
fastener and for securing the first plate to the head portion of
the fastener. The part of the base portion of the fastener that
extends on a side of the second plate opposite the first plate has
a width that increases to resist a force attempting to separate the
first plate from the second plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other features of the present invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present
invention relates upon reading the following description with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus embodying the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus embodying the present
invention showing the apparatus securing a first plate in a spaced
relationship to a second plate;
FIG. 4 is a view of the apparatus embodying the present invention
taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a side view of the apparatus embodying the present
invention showing the apparatus subjected to a force attempting to
separate the first plate from the second plate.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10 of the
invention. The apparatus 10 may be used for securing a first plate
in a spaced relationship to a second plate. Throughout this
application, the apparatus 10 will be discussed as securing a pull
handle bracket 12 (FIG. 3) to a door panel 14. Those skilled in the
art will recognize that the apparatus may be used to secure any two
plates in a spaced relationship.
The apparatus 10 of the present invention comprises molded plastic
parts 16 and 18. The parts 16 and 18 are molded as one piece, as
shown in FIG. 2. When molded, the parts 16 and 18 are attached to
each other along a longitudinal axis 20 that passes through the
center of the apparatus 10. Preferably, the apparatus 10 is
injection molded from a plastic material. The parts 16 and 18 are
broken apart from one another for use, as shown in FIG. 1.
The part 16 is a fastener and the part 18 is a retainer. The
fastener 16 has a head portion 22 and a base portion 24 (FIG. 1).
The head portion 22 of the fastener 16 is insertable into a hole 26
(FIG. 3) in the pull handle bracket 12. The head portion 22 of the
fastener 16 includes two flanges 28 and 30 and an arched portion
32. A first flange 28 is an elongated member having a depth that is
approximately twice its width. The first flange 28 has a flat
bottom surface 34 and a cambered upper surface 36. Both the bottom
surface 34 and the upper surface 36 have a generally rectangular
shape with beveled corners. As shown in FIG. 2, the camber of the
upper surface 36 of the first flange 28 inclines along its width
from an outer-side surface 38 to the center of the flange and then
declines from the center of the flange to the inner-side surface
40. The camber of the upper surface 36 extends uniformly along the
depth of the first flange 28. The second flange 30 is a mirror
image of the first flange 28 and thus, the same reference numbers
are used in identifying the parts of the second flange 30 that were
used with regard to the first flange 28.
The arched portion 32 of the head portion 22 of the fastener 16
interconnects the first flange 28 and the second flange 30. A first
end 42 of the arched portion 32 connects to the upper surface 36 of
the first flange 28 near the outer-side surface 38 such that an
outer surface 44 of the arched portion 32 is contiguous with the
outer-side surface 38 of the first flange 28. A second end 46 of
the arched portion 32 connects to the upper surface 36 of the
second flange 30 near the outer-side surface 38 such that an outer
surface 44 of the arched portion 32 is contiguous with the
outer-side surface 38 of the second flange 30. As shown in FIG. 1,
the arched portion 32 has a depth that is less than the depth of
the first and the second flanges 28 and 30. The arched portion 32
connects to each flange 28 and 30 centrally along its depth such
that a portion of each flange 28 and 30 extends in front of and
behind the arched portion 32. The arched portion 32 has a width
that is equal to twice the width of each flange 28 and 30 and a
height that is sufficient to extend through the hole 26 in the pull
handle bracket 12 and beyond an upper surface 48, as viewed in FIG.
3. Thus, when inserted into the hole 26 in the pull handle bracket
12 from a lower surface 50, the inner surface 52 of the arched
portion 32 extends above the upper surface 48 of the pull handle
bracket 12.
The arched portion 32 of the head portion 22 of the fastener 16
includes an upper portion 54 and two pedestals 56 and 58. The width
of each pedestal 56 and 58 is approximately 30% of the width of
each flange 28 and 30. The upper portion 54 of the arched portion
32 is flexible. In an initial position, where the head portion 22
is not subject to any outside forces, the upper portion 54 of the
arched portion 32 bows downward slightly near the center of the
upper portion 54, as shown in FIG. 2. This downward bow causes the
pedestals 56 and 58 of the arched portion 32 to separate slightly
causing the inner-side surface 40 of the first flange 28 to
separate from the inner-side surface 40 of the second flange 30.
When a pressure is exerted on the upper portion 54 of the arched
portion 32 to straighten the upper portion 54, the first and the
second flanges 28 and 30 move together such that the inner-side
surface 40 of the first flange 28 is immediately adjacent the
inner-side surface 40 of the second flange 30. When the first
flange 28 is immediately adjacent the second flange 30, the two
flanges 28 and 30 and the arched portion 32 form an opening 60
(FIG. 2).
The base portion 24 of the fastener 16 includes a first leg 62 and
a second leg 64. The first leg 62 extends longitudinally from the
first flange 28 in a direction opposite the arched portion 32 of
the head portion 22 of the fastener 16. The first leg 62 has a
height that is approximately five times the height of the arched
portion 32. The first leg 62 has a rectangular cross-section with a
width that is shorter than its depth (FIG. 1). The depth of the
first leg 62 is approximately equal to the depth of the arched
portion 32 of the head portion 22. The width of the first leg 62 is
less than the width of the first flange 28 (FIG. 2).
The first leg 62 has an inner surface 66, an outer surface 68, a
front surface 70, and a rear surface (not shown). The inner surface
66 of the first leg 62 connects to and is contiguous with the
inner-side surface 40 of the first flange 28. A plurality of
protrusions 74 extends outwardly from the inner surface 66 of the
first leg 62 for interlocking with the second leg 64. The outer
surface 68 of the first leg 62 extends from the first flange 28
parallel to the inner surface 66 for approximately 80 percent of
the height of the first leg 62. The outer surface 68 of the first
leg 62 then tapers toward the inner surface 66 as it nears an end
opposite the first flange 28. The front surface 70 and the rear
surface of the first leg 62 extend parallel to one another and
perpendicular to the inner surface 66 and outer surface 68 for
approximately 80 percent of the height of the first leg 62. At the
end of the first leg 62 opposite the first flange 28, the front and
rear surfaces 70 and 72 both taper inwardly. Thus, the inner,
outer, front, and rear surfaces 66, 68, 70 and 72 of the first leg
62 meet at a point 76 on an end opposite the first flange 28.
A first support flange 78 extends from the outer surface 68 of the
first leg 62. The first support flange 78 extends both outwardly
and longitudinally toward the first flange 28 of the head portion
22 of the fastener 16. The first support flange 78 is cantilevered
such that a first end 80 is connected to the outer surface 68 of
the first leg 62 and a second end 82 is suspended away from the
first leg 62. The first end 80 of the first support flange 78 is
connected to the outer surface 68 of the first leg 62 at a location
approximately 25 percent of the height of the first leg 62 from the
first flange 28. The first support flange 78 has an inner surface
84 that is nearest the outer surface 68 of the first leg 62 and an
outer surface 86 opposite the inner surface 84. The outer surface
86 of the first support flange 78 is notched at the second end 82
for clamping onto the door panel 14, as shown in FIG. 3. The second
end 82 of the first support flange 78 is located laterally outside
the outer-side surface 38 of the first flange 28 and longitudinally
below the bottom surface 34 of the first flange 28, as viewed in
FIGS. 2 and 3. The first support flange 78 is flexible such that
the second end 82 may be moved toward the outer surface 68 of the
first leg 62.
The second leg 64 is a mirror image of the first leg 62 and as such
the same reference numbers are used in identifying the parts of the
second leg 64 that were used with regard to the first leg 62. The
second leg 64 extends longitudinally from the second flange 30 in a
direction opposite the arched portion 32 of the head portion 22 of
the fastener 16. The second leg 64 has a height that is
approximately five times the height of the arched portion 32. The
second leg 64 has a rectangular cross-section with a width that is
shorter than its depth (FIG. 1). The depth of the second leg 64 is
approximately equal to the depth of the arched portion 32 of the
head portion 22. The width of the second leg 64 is less than the
width of the second flange 30 (FIG. 2).
The second leg 64 has an inner surface 66, an outer surface 68, a
front surface 70, and a rear surface 72. The inner surface 66 of
the second leg 64 connects to and is contiguous with the inner-side
surface 40 of the second flange 30. A plurality of protrusions 74
extends outwardly from the inner surface 66 of the second leg 64
for interlocking with the protrusions 74 on the first leg 62. The
outer surface 68 of the second leg 64 extends from the second
flange 30 parallel to the inner surface 66 for approximately 80
percent of the height of the second leg 64. The second leg 64 then
tapers toward the inner surface 66 as it nears an end opposite the
second flange 30. The front surface 70 and the rear surface 72 of
the second leg 64 extend parallel to one another and perpendicular
to the inner surface 66 and outer surface 68 for approximately 80
percent of the height of the second leg 64. At the end of the
second leg 64 opposite the second flange 30, the front and rear
surfaces 70 and 72 both taper inwardly. Thus, the inner, outer,
front, and rear surfaces 66, 68, 70 and 72 of the second leg 64
meet at a point 76 on an end opposite the second flange 30.
A second support flange 88 extends from the outer surface 68 of the
second leg 64. The second support flange 88 extends both outwardly
and longitudinally toward the second flange 30. The second support
flange 88 is cantilevered such that a first end 80 is connected to
the outer surface 68 of the second leg 64 and a second end 82 is
suspended from the second leg 64. The first end 80 of the second
support flange 88 is connected to the outer surface 68 of the
second leg 64 at a location approximately 25 percent of the height
of the second leg 64 from the second flange 30. The second support
flange 88 has an inner surface 84 that is nearest the outer surface
68 of the second leg 64 and an outer surface 86 opposite the inner
surface 84. The outer surface 86 of the second support flange 88 is
notched at the second end 82 for clamping onto the door panel 14
(FIG. 3). The second end 82 of the second support flange 88 is
located laterally outside the outer-side surface 38 of the second
flange 30 and longitudinally below the bottom surface 34 of the
second flange 30, as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3. The second support
flange 88 is flexible such that the second end 82 may be moved
toward the outer surface 68 of the second leg 64.
When the arched portion 32 of the head portion 22 of the fastener
16 is bowed such that the first and second flanges 28 and 30 are
separated, the first and the second legs 62 and 64 are separates as
shown in FIG. 2. When the arched portion 32 is straightened such
that the first and second flanges 28 and 30 come together, the
first and second legs 62 and 64 come together as shown in FIG. 3.
When the first and second legs 62 and 64 come together, the
protrusions 74 of the inner surface 66 of the first leg 62
interlock with the protrusions 74 on the inner surface 66 of the
second leg 64.
The apparatus 10 of the present invention also includes a retainer
18 (FIG. 1). The retainer 18 has an elongated main body 90. The
elongated main body 90 of the retainer 18 has a width that is
narrow enough to fit into the opening 60 of the arched portion 32
of the head portion 22 of the fastener 16. The elongated main body
90 of the retainer 18 has a length that is longer than the depth of
the arched portion 32 (FIG. 1). The elongated main body 90 of the
retainer 18 has two ends 92 and 94. A first end 92 has a width that
is approximately twice the width of the elongated main body 90. The
first end 92 has an elongated slot 96 that extends through the
retainer 18 perpendicular to the elongated main body 90. The second
end 94 of the elongated main body 90 is tapered inwardly to form a
narrow tongue 97 for simplifying insertion of the elongated main
body 90 into the opening 60 formed in the arched portion 32 of the
head portion 22 of the fastener 18.
The retainer 18 further includes two retaining legs 98. The
retaining legs 98 extend from the first end 92 of the retainer 18
toward the second end 94 of the elongated main body 90. One
retaining leg 98 is located on each side of the elongated main body
90. Each retaining leg 98 has a length that is approximately equal
to the length of the elongated main body 90. Each retaining leg 98
curves toward the elongated main body 90 as it nears the second end
94 of the elongated main body 90 of the retainer 18. As shown in
FIG. 2, the curved end 100 of each retaining leg has a V-shape with
the narrow part of the V-shape extending toward the elongated main
body 90. The retaining legs 98 help to retain the connection of the
retainer 18 to the fastener 16 as will be described in more detail
below.
The pull handle bracket 12 and the door panel 14 that are secured
by the fastener 16 and the retainer 18 each have at least one hole
26 and 102 (FIG. 3). Preferably, both the pull handle bracket 12
and the door panel 14 have two holes. Each hole 26 in the pull
handle bracket 12 aligns with and corresponds to a hole 102 in the
door panel 14. Preferably, each hole 26 and 102 is rectangular.
To attach the pull handle bracket 12 to the door panel 14, the
retainer 18 must first be broken off of the fastener 16. When
molded as one piece, a narrow assembly 104 (FIG. 2) connects the
retainer 18 to the fastener 16. Twisting the retainer 18 relative
to the fastener 16 will break this assembly 104. After removing the
retainer 18 from the fastener 16, the arched portion 32 of the head
portion 22 of the fastener 16 is inserted into the hole 26 in the
pull handle bracket 12. The arched portion 32 is inserted until a
lower surface 50, as viewed in FIG. 3, of the pull handle bracket
12 rests on and is supported by the upper surface 36 of the first
and the second flanges 28 and 30. The first and the second legs 62
and 64 of the base portion 24 of the fastener 16 are then pushed
together. Pushing together the legs 62 and 64 causes the upper
portion 54 of the arched portion 32 to straighten. The elongated
main body 90 of the retainer 18 is then inserted into the opening
60 of the arched portion 32 such that it rests on the upper surface
48 of the pull handle bracket 12, as shown in FIG. 4. When
inserting the retainer 18, the tongue 97 of the elongated main body
90 is inserted first and the elongated main body 90 is pushed into
the opening 60 until the retainer legs 98 snap around the outer
surface 44 of the arched portion 32, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The
retainer legs 98 secure the retainer 18 in place on the fastener 16
and prevent the elongated main body 90 from being removed by
vibration. When the elongated main body 90 of the retainer 18 is
inserted into the opening 60, the elongated main body 90 applies
sufficient resistance to the upper portion 54 of the arched portion
32 to keep the upper portion 54 of the arched portion 32 from
bowing. Thus, the retainer 18 keeps the first leg 62 and the second
leg 64 of the base portion 24 of the fastener 16 together. By
attaching the retainer 18 to the fastener 16, the pull handle
bracket 12 becomes secured to the fastener 16.
Next, the fastener 16 is aligned with a hole 102 in the door panel
14 and the point 76 of each leg 62 and 64 of the base portion 24 of
the fastener 16 is inserted into the hole 102 in the door panel 14.
The base portion 24 of the fastener 16 is pushed into the hole 102
until the first and second support flanges 78 and 88 bend inward,
toward the outer surface 68 of the respective leg 62 or 64, and the
notched second end 82 of each support flange 78 and 88 attaches to
the door panel 14, as shown in FIG. 3. The notched second ends 82
of the support flanges 78 and 88 attach the door panel 14 to the
base portion 24 of the fastener 16. When the support flanges 78 and
88 attached to the door panel 14, the legs 62 and 64 of the base
portion 24 of the fastener 16 are suspended through the center of
the hole 102 in the door panel 14. When the door panel 14 is
attached to the base portion 24 of the fastener 16, the door panel
14 is held in a spaced relationship to the pull handle bracket
12.
To disassemble the pull handle bracket 12 from the door panel 14,
the retainer 18 is removed from the head portion 22 of the fastener
16. To remove the retainer 18, a flat head of a screwdriver can be
inserted into the slot 96 in the first end 92 of the retainer 18
and the retainer 18 pulled out of the arched portion 32. When
pulling the retainer 18 out of the opening 60 of the arched portion
32 of the fastener 16, enough force must be exerted on the retainer
18 to cause the retaining legs 98 to resiliently expand over the
outer surface 44 of the arched portion 32. After the retainer 18 is
removed, the pull handle bracket 12 can be pulled off of the arched
portion 32 of the fastener 16 to provide access to the door panel
14 or the cavity of the door. During this time, the base portion 24
of the fastener 16 remains inserted in the hole 102 in the door
panel 14 and clamped to the door panel 14 by the support flanges 78
and 88.
To reinstall the pull handle bracket 12, the pull handle bracket 12
is aligned with the fastener 16 that remained attached to the door
panel 14. The arched portion 32 of the fastener 16 is reinserted
into the respective hole 26 in the pull handle bracket 12 and the
retainer 18 is reinstalled into the opening 60 of the arched
portion 32 of the head portion 22 of the fastener 16. When the pull
handle bracket 12 is removed, the interlocking protrusions 74 on
the inner surface 66 of the legs 62 and 64 of the base portion 24
provide sufficient friction to hold the legs 62 and 64
together.
When the pull handle bracket 12 is attached to the door panel 14,
the fastener 16 and the retainer 18 resist forces attempting to
separate the pull handle bracket 12 and the door panel 14. When a
force is applied to the pull handle bracket 12 pulling the pull
handle bracket 12 in a direction away from the door panel 14, the
base portion 24 of the fastener 16 widens, as shown in FIG. 5, to
resist separation of the pull handle bracket 12 and the door panel
14. The force on the pull handle bracket 12 is transferred through
the elongated main body 90 of the retainer 18 to the arched portion
32 of the fastener 16. The pedestals 56 and 58 of the arched
portion 32 are pulled in the direction of the force. Since the
pedestals 56 and 58 are connected to the outer-side surfaces 38 of
the respective flanges 28 and 30, the outer-side surfaces 38 of the
flanges are pulled upward toward the lower surface 50 of the pull
handle bracket 12. As a result, the contact between the respective
flanges 28 and 30 and the lower surface 50 of the pull handle
bracket 12 rolls on the cambered upper surface 36 of the flanges 28
and 30 toward the outer-side surface 38 of the flanges 28 and 30.
This action causes the first leg 62 and the second leg 64, which
are suspended through the hole 102 in the door panel 14, to
separate, as shown in FIG. 5, to resist separation of the pull
handle bracket 12 and the door panel 14. When the force is
released, the center of the cambered upper surface 36 of each
flange 28 and 30 supports the pull handle bracket 12 and the
respective legs 62 and 64 of the base portion 24 of the fastener 16
return to their closed position. The interlocking protrusions 74 on
the inner surfaces 66 of the respective legs 62 and 64 of the base
portion 24 of fastener 16 provide some resistance to the separation
of the respective legs 62 and 64. Thus, the protrusions 74 prevent
separation of the legs 62 and 64 if the force is less than a
predetermined value sufficient to overcome the frictional force of
the protrusions 74.
From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the
art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such
improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art
are intended to be covered by the appended claims.
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